[MARKET ANALYSIS] Gilts notch a fresh contract high into the TSC
Importance
Level 1
- Benchmarks climbed into the end of Monday's session as the risk tone was hit on AI disruption fears. Since, broadly speaking, the fixed complex has been contained in proximity to those highs.
- JGBs were boosted this morning by a Mainichi report that PM Takaichi relayed reservations to BoJ Governor Ueda about further tightening, with Takaichi's stance described by the sources as "stricter" vs their last meeting. This lifted JGBs by around 30 ticks to a 133.10 peak.
- BoJ pricing has dipped marginally, with a bp or so of easing actually implied for March now. More pertinently, a hike isn't priced until September, where 30bps of tightening is implied. As a reminder, April wage data and by extension the April (+10bps implied) and June (+18bps implied) meetings are the main focus point of the market at this time.
- USTs flat, in a narrow 113-07+ to 113-13 band. Awaiting further updates on the AI disruption narrative, US-Iran and numerous Fed officials. From those, the most pertinent include Cook (voter), who, in early February, said she supported waiting after December to cut again and described tariff price-rises as temporary. Waller (voter) has already spoken post-SCOTUS, saying the impact would likely be limited. The docket also includes 2027 voters, Barkin & Goolsbee, and 2028 voter Collins.
- Bunds firmer by around 10 ticks, holding just off a 129.73 peak which is just above Monday's 129.71 best. ECB's Lagarde theoretically headlines the docket, though she has spoken extensively recently. As such, the benchmark will likely conform to leads from USTs and the global risk tone if there is an AI/tariff/US-Iran update.
- Gilts also firmer by around 10 ticks and at a 92.97 peak, taking out the high from January and notching a fresh YTD and contract best. For the UK, the main event is the Treasury Select Committee. Pertinently, Governor Bailey headlines the outing alongside known dove Taylor and the hawkish Greene & Pill. The Governor and the two hawkish members are the focus, for any hint that the recent string of data and/or tariff updates have pushed them towards easing in the near-term. Commentary that will, by extension, inform on the ongoing debate between March and April, with 21bps of easing implied for March and 27bps in April.
#UNITED STATES#USD#EUR#JAPAN#JPY#UNITED KINGDOM#GBP#ASIA#EUROPE#GOVERNOR#BOJ#ECB#GEOPOLITICAL#FOREX#FIXED INCOME#EQUITIES#ENERGY#METALS#EU SESSION#DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE#FEDERAL RESERVE#CENTRAL BANK#GILTS#GERMAN BONDS#DOVE#HAWK#HIGHLIGHTED#WTI#COMMODITIES#COPPER#GOLD#METALS & MINING#MATERIALS (GROUP)#S&P 500 INDEX#BRENT CRUDE#DXY#TARIFF#MARKET ANALYSIS#AI